What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Demand Planner position at First Search Inc.?
Description
Food manufacturing experience highly preferred.
The Supply Chain Demand Planner will be responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts to support supply chain planning, inventory optimization, and business decision-making. This role analyzes historical data, market trends, promotional activity, and customer insights to create reliable demand plans that help the organization balance supply with demand efficiently. Utilizing innovative demand planning tools and internal processes, this role will develop and maintain demand forecasts that will drive production and purchasing directives to support our high levels of customer service as well as support the expansion and growth of our S&OP processes on both our food service and retail side of the business. This role will be cross functional and proactively collaborate with all plants on schedules, customer service, sales, marketing, and finance to positively influence results. 100% onsite
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
- Develop, maintain, and improve short-, mid-, and long-range demand forecasts
- Analyze historical sales, seasonality, product life cycles, and market trends
- Review and adjust forecasts based on input from sales and marketing
- Proposing and implementing solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy
- Addressing demand-related issues in a timely and effective manner
- Work with the Procurement department on resolving supply issues
- Highly analytical with in-depth knowledge of advanced mathematical and forecasting policies
- Lead or participate in S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) meetings
- Communicate forecast changes, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders
- Partner with supply planning to ensure supply levels meet forecasted demand
- Work closely with marketing on launches, promotions, and discontinuations
- Monitor forecast accuracy and implement improvement initiatives
- Identify demand drivers and root causes of forecast variability
- Provide regular reporting on demand trends, inventory risks, and service level performance
- Highlight product shortages, excess, or obsolescence risks
- Data management within the Planning System
- Build inter-transfer truck loads based on demand needs
- Other duties as assigned
Education and/or Experience
Bachelors (B. A.) or equivalent from four-year College; 5-7 years’ minimum of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Experience with ERP or planning systems (Kinaxis, SAP, Oracle, Anaplan, etc.)
- Kinaxis Maestro preferred
- Knowledge of statistical forecasting methods
- Familiarity with S&OP processes
- Strong problem-solving and scenario-planning capabilities
- Strong communication ability
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Supply Chain management and Demand management
- Microsoft Excel
- Data Analysis
- Inventory Management